Israel receives INS Drakon, new $634M German-built submarine

The Israeli Navy has taken delivery of the INS Drakon, the final Dolphin-class submarine in its fleet. Built by Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) at a cost of approximately $634 million, the vessel was handed over at the shipyard in Kiel.

The INS Drakon is a modified Dolphin II-class submarine measuring over 70 meters in length with a displacement exceeding 2,000 tons. It is described as the largest submarine constructed in Germany since World War II. The vessel is equipped with advanced technologies intended to expand the Israel Defense Forces' capabilities across various arenas.

Defense analysts and national security experts suggest the submarine provides a critical sea-based second-strike capability and strengthens Israel's strategic deterrence against Iran. The submarine's presence is intended to ensure a continuous undersea capability that can respond even if other strategic assets are compromised.